Brush Up On Condominium Budgeting Basics With This Checklist

Living in a condo means more than just buying or renting a unit. The cost of living in a shared complex must all fall into your budget.

Alright, so you’ve made a decision to find a condo in the Philippines. You want one that is accessible to malls and markets. You’ve figured that your ideal type of condo is one that offers full security plus recreational facilities right at the ground floor. You imagine yourself living in a life of comfort and convenience.

Image via Ken Teegardin at Flickr

It’s true; living in a condominium has its perks. But before you jump into conducting your condominium search, think again. Are you fully prepared for a life of a condo dweller?

For first-timers, condo living may be an entirely new scenario. You live in a residential complex with multiple owners. Some portions of the complex are privately owned, while some are common. Naturally, residents spend for their own private spaces, but the use and maintenance of commonly-owned facilities are often overlooked as part of the basic condo budget.

Amortization

First in your condo budget checklist must be your monthly amortization. Most developers offer different payment schemes for those who wish to buy on installment. Like any wise buyer, choose the payment scheme that matches your monthly income. Typically, you will need to make a down payment prior to your monthly installments. Read your contract thoroughly, as some developers require a full payment before you are allowed to move in. Finally before signing, ask for a breakdown of your monthly payments, from the initial to the final.

Registration

Upon full payment, next comes the registration of the condo’s title to your name. As the new registered owner of this real property, The Register of Deeds shall issue you an Owner’s Duplicate Condominium Certificate of Title. This tax should not exceed 4% of your purchase price.

Real Property Tax

Having invested in real estate in the Philippines, you are now liable to pay real property tax according to Philippine laws. This amount is paid annually to the local government as a percentage of your property’s market value.

Rent

For condo tenants, the most basic expense would be the rent. Landlords usually require advanced rental and security deposit. Check out all the terms and conditions in your contract. Although there are standard practices as to which expenses are charged to the tenant and the unit owner, it would be best to state them in the contract of lease – including taxes, insurance, maintenance, repairs and association dues. Read all the fine print as this is a legally binding agreement.

Maintenance

As a condo resident, you automatically become a member of the Homeowners Association run by a Board of Directors. This means that you share the cost of maintaining the common areas with other residents through the monthly association dues. This includes landscaping, grass mowing, swimming pool clean up, plus interior works such as painting, carpet cleaning, elevator maintenance and inspections, and upkeep of common plumbing and electrical lines.

Repairs

Repairs and replacements aren’t done as often as maintenance procedures; nevertheless they are necessary in keeping the entire condominium attractive and habitable. New pavements might be necessary, the roof may need to be replaced, or the building entrance may call for remodeling. All these form part of your association dues.

Some repair costs may be charged back to the homeowner as they are not covered by the association dues. It would be best to clarify with the homeowners association the extent of their maintenance responsibility.

Insurance

Most dues cover the insurance of common areas and the unit itself. But this does not cover the insurance of your personal belongings and any improvements you may have made since the unit was constructed (such as carpet, wallpaper and new fixtures). So you may consider getting an insurance policy of your own.

Utilities

Typically, a condo unit has its own water and electric meters so a resident pays directly to the service provider based on his consumption. This is also usually the case for a telephone line.

Shared Utilities

Some utilities are provided collectively such as trash collection, cable connection and water heater. If so, these are usually added in the association dues. Before moving in, check with the association which utilities are included in their charges.

Condo Fees

In addition to association dues, there may be other fees that the association may charge. An example would be a security deposit for the use of the elevator when moving in or out. Before getting a condo, ask about these charges.

Guest Fees

As a resident, you may enjoy full use of the condominium facilities subject to condo rules and regulations. This hospitality, however, is not extended to your guests. Fees may be charged whenever your guest uses the swimming pool or the gym. So before inviting a guest, check out these charges. Some condominiums have function rooms or penthouse that can be rented by homeowners for their personal use.

Parking

Condominiums commonly have restricted parking space. In some cases, a parking space is allotted along with the sale or rental of a unit, but in other cases, additional costs will have to be incurred to have a right to this space. As a resident of the condominium, don’t expect to be allowed to use the visitor’s parking or a neighbor’s space. Check out your parking allocation and additional charges, if any.

Security

Typically, association dues cover the cost of security in main entrances and common areas. You may want to add surveillance cameras and alarms in your unit for your added security.

Generator

Most condominiums have generators to supply electricity in elevators and common areas in case of power interruptions. Again, as this does not extend to your unit, you may want to buy one in case a need arises.

Improvement

Of course, there is always room for improvement. After moving in, allot some budget, too, for some home improvement that will customize your space according to your needs and lifestyle.

Aside from convenience and accessibility, the advantage of living in a condo is being free from all the worries of maintenance and security. What’s more, you need not shoulder all these costs on your own. Today, there is a variety of condo types to choose from. All it takes is to fit the charges and fees into your condo budget, and ensure that you get the value of what you pay for.